Christopher HS grad claims college degrees

ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public InformationCamryn Maloney, right, received her RLC diploma earlier this month from RLC Board of Trustees Vice Chair Larry Manning. Maloney also graduated from Christopher High School last weekend.Photo by ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information

BY REANNE PALMERRLC PUBLIC INFORMATION

Posted on 5/23/2017, 6:56 AM

A Christopher graduate walked across the stage not just once, but twice, this spring to receive a diploma.

Camryn Maloney, who graduated Sunday from Christopher High School, has done what only a handful of others have accomplished in recent years: walking across both their high school graduation stage and Rend Lake College's commencement stage at the same time, all thanks to their work in RLC's dual-credit and dual-enrollment programs. The programs offer tuition-free courses for all high school juniors and seniors in RLC's district.

Maloney graduated from RLC this month with both associate in arts and associate in science degrees with honors for her high GPA (grade point average).

"A couple years ago a girl from my high school, Christopher High School, graduated with her high school diploma as well as her associates in science and art," Maloney said. "I talked with her about it, and just knew it was something I was really interested in since I knew I wanted to go to medical school and knew that would be a long 10 years if I didn't have any transfer credits. It seemed like a good fit.

"Honestly, I would recommend dual enrollment to anyone as long as they are really dedicated. It was a great program, and I really enjoyed it. I like to be kept busy, and this definitely did keep me on my toes. Also, it helped me gain a lot of study skills that I know will come in handy as I head to university next year. It was a lot of hard work, but it was completely worth it in the end."

Ever since she was a little girl, Maloney has dreamed of being a doctor. To that end, she is going to attend the University of Missouri Kansas City. After she graduates, she plans to return to a rural area like Southern Illinois and work in obstetrics and gynecology.

"It's been a lot of work, and it's really nice to see all of that pay off," she said.